A.M. Armstrong, age 92, of Russellville, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab. He was born February 20, 1932, in Blue Mountain, to Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Starr Armstrong.

A.M. lived the first 18 years of his life in Blue Mountain and attended school at Magazine where he graduated from in 1950. While in high school, he joined the Arkansas National Guard, Battery "B", 937 Field Artillery at Paris, Arkansas in 1947.

Soon after graduation, he met and married the love of his life, Bonnie Thrasher Armstrong. In June 1950 his unit was mobilized at Paris and was ordered into active Federal Service on August 19, 1950. His unit was then deployed to the Korean War in December 1950. He participated in the first U.N. Counter Offensive, CCF Spring Offensive and U.N. Summer and Fall Offensives. He was honorably discharged from service on November 10, 1951 at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

After his service, he and Bonnie moved to West Memphis where he worked as an engine builder for Ozburn-Ashton in Memphis until 1959. He then loaded his family, moved to Russellville, and opened Armstrong Garage in 1960. He owned and operated his business until June of 1972 when he closed his shop and took a job at Arkansas Nuclear One, where he was employed until retirement in June 1991.

In 1961 he became a charter member of the VFW Post 2283 in Russellville. Over the years he served in all elective offices of Post 2283, including Post Commander multiple times and served in most District Offices including District Commander. He also served on Arkansas levels as Arkansas Veterans of Foreign Wars Surgeon, Judge Advocate, Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, and AR Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander in 2002-2003. During his tenure he also served on numerous National Appointments. A.M. gladly devoted many years of his life to the success of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was proud of his home post where he proudly participated in Post 2283 Honor Guard and considered it a privilege to serve his fellow comrades with a 21-gun salute for their service to our Country.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Armstrong; brother, Vernon Armstrong; sister Lorena Welch; three sisters-in-law, Francis Ashley Parker, Joyce Lunsford and Betty Halford; a daughter-in-law, Margie Armstrong; and two grandsons, Jeff Stout and David Stout.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Sharon Armstrong of Russellville, Kentucky; two daughters and a son-in-law, Viva Ivey of Russellville and Donna and Dave Stout of Russellville, two brothers-in-law, Don and Joan Thrasher of Magazine; Harmon Halford of Booneville and sister-in-law Bobbie Sue Campos of Troy, Texas; 7 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Shinn Chapel with Mr. Dan Lightfoot officiating.  Burial with military honors provided by the Rogers-Rye VFW Post 2283 will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00-6:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Richie Hare, Danny Stout, Brian Ivey, Charles Rector, Adam Read and Derrick Byrum.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Zachritz, Cash Rector, Rush Rector, Thomas Ivey and Scotty Goodyear.

Memorials may be made to Rogers-Rye VFW Post 2283 Honor Guard, 4162 N Arkansas Ave, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.